SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO FOOTBALL

Redskins' Allen Gets Hefty Pact

Published: February 27, 1997

TERRY ALLEN, whose 1,353 yards last season set a Washington rushing record, re-signed with the Redskins yesterday in a deal that will make him one of the National Football League's highest-paid running backs.

The four-year, $14.8 million deal includes a $2.4 million signing bonus and base salaries of $2 million in 1997 and $2.6 million in 1998. He will make $7.8 million over his final two years as long as he makes the team.

''I knew if I was going to come back, I definitely wasn't going to sign another one-year deal,'' said the 29-year-old Allen, the only player in N.F.L. history to rush for 1,000 yards after having reconstructive surgeries on both knees. ''I'm getting a little too old for that.''

BARRY SANDERS and EMMITT SMITH are the only active running backs with bigger average contracts.

Allen led the N.F.L. last season with 21 rushing touchdowns and broke JOHN RIGGINS's single-season rushing record of 1,347 yards.